DECEMBER 13, 2016

UCLA Professor of Education Carlos Alberto Torres has received a Doutoramento Honoris Causa from the Universidade Lusófona de Humanidades e Tecnologias. The prestigious private university has campuses in Portugal, Brazil, and throughout Africa.

“It is with a deep feeling of happiness, pleasure and humility that I receive this Honorary Doctorate from this exalted place of study,” said Torres at a ceremony which took place in Lisbon in October in honor of himself and fellow recipient António Manuel Sampaio da Nóvoa of the University of Lisbon. “As professors, we express deep beliefs we have come to in the process of research and theoretical reflection. Ours is an existential dialogue involving theory, investigation, and praxis that makes the experience and meaning of disciplinary practice a quasi sacred act; an act of respect for the truth, even if truth is always a social construct. Thus, as professors, we are cultural workers and, because all narratives are culturally constructed, we need to question them.”

Three of Torres’ books on Brazilian philosopher Paulo Freire were written in Portuguese, including “Dialogue with Paulo Freire” (1979); “Consciousness and history: Paulo Freire’s Educative Praxis” (1979); and “A Critical Reading of Paulo Freire” (1981). In addition, Torres’ first novel, “Sir Charles’ Manuscript” (2005) was written in Portuguese.

Professor Torres also spoke in congratulations to UN General Secretary Ban Ki-moon, who was has been named Global Citizen of the Year at the observance of Global Cybersecurity Day on December 12 at Harvard University.

For a video of Professor Torres at the Universidade Lusófona de Humanidades e Tecnologias, click here.